Following is a summary of key information related to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) and impacts in Watauga County and surrounding areas. Visit wataugademocrat.com/covid19 for additional coverage on the virus and its impacts. For editorial tips and questions, email editor@wataugademocrat.com. Read more
Virtual Graduation
Celebrate the Class of 2020
It's time to graduate for the Class of 2020! View our special section to see profiles of graduates, read news from around the area, and submit a profile of your own favorite graduate!
Latest News
- Watauga County buildings to reopen June 1; utilization of online services still encouraged
- 27,793 cases, 929 dead, 638 hospitalized in NC; 19 cases in Watauga
- AppHealthCare shares updated testing guidance, locations
- Hunger and Health Coalition announces 'Plant a Row for the Hungry'
- Pioneers deal with latest dead period
- 27,793 cases, 929 dead, 638 hospitalized in NC; 19 cases in Watauga
- AppHealthCare shares updated testing guidance, locations
- Application period now open for Reenergize Watauga Fund loan
- NC has highest day of reported COVID-19 deaths, hospitalizations
- Boone COVID-19 restrictions take effect June 2
- ARHS releases additional referral methods for COVID-19 testing
- Blowing Rock Town Council cancels July 4 events, annual summer camp
- Three App State subcontractors test positive for COVID-19, Watauga total at 14
- App State starts to disburse CARES Act grants to students
- Two Rivers School ends year with spirit week, parade for families
WATAUGA — Watauga County buildings will reopen to the public on Monday, June 1. All county departments and operations will operate on normal hours.
RALEIGH — Following are updates on COVID-19 cases and test numbers in the U.S., North Carolina and in High Country counties. The following reports may differ from other sources due to the varied reporting times of multiple health agencies and other sources.
BOONE — Testing guidance from N.C. Department of Health & Human Services has been updated to allow for more expansion of testing as the state continues to ease restrictions.
WATAUGA — Four local businesses had already submitted applications for funding from the Reenergize Watauga Fund during the first day of its launch, according to Chris Grasinger, the High Country regional manager of Mountain BizWorks.
BOONE — The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce focuses its Friday Forum this week on the recently amended town of Boone state of emergency declaration.
RALEIGH — Gov. Roy Cooper announced that six days into Phase 2, on May 28, the state experienced its highest days of reported deaths and hospitalizations since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Joyce Potter Godsey, 75, of Boone, N.C., passed away May 27, 2020.
Gradie Coffey, 78, of Boone, N.C., passed away May 27, 2020.
Dianne Ward Eggers, 71, of Sugar Grove, N.C., passed away Mond…
Mary Miller Hodges, 89, of Charlotte, N.C., passed away May 22, 2020.
Frank Slate, Sr., 90, of Boone, N.C., passed away May 22, 2020.
Over the first two months of the coronavirus crisis, our labor-market cratered. The number of employed North Carolinians dropped by 820,000, or 17%. Only 56.3% of working-aged residents were either employed or actively looking for jobs.
Been lately to a Boone Town Council meeting, virtually or, pre-COVID-19, in person?
During the month of April alone, North Carolina lost 572,000 jobs, or 12.5% of the state’s total employment. That’s a higher rate of job loss than any of our neighbors experienced. Among the 12 Southeastern states, only Kentucky and West Virginia fared worse.
Once again, the Town of Beech Mountain is trying to build a water intake on the Watauga River to withdraw up to 500,000 gallons a day in times of drought. As the town doubles down on this proposal, ignoring public concern and funding a misleading PR campaign, MountainTrue would like to set s…
In an unprecedented educational year, the Class of 2020 has had to modify its graduation in significant and nontraditional ways.
Emergency service members from around 12 different agencies conducted a procession around the Watauga Medical Center to show support for health care workers and hospital patients on April 17. Video by Kayla Lasure.
Commented